[3][1] The accident has been listed by Dutch newspaper Het Huisgezin as one of the main international disasters of 1956.
[4] In February 1956 the foot bridge over the small channel near Dekernes was closed for repairs.
People who wanted to cross the channel had to take a small ferry.
The children persuaded older passengers to lift the anchor and to cross the channel themselves.
A worn-out cable connecting the ferry to both banks snapped due to the tension.